Golden Damselfish(Amblyglyphidodon aureus)

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Amblyglyphidodon
aureusbelongs
to the family Pomacentridae.
This family is comprised of 28 genera and 360 species. It
includes all damselfish and clownfishes. Established populations of
golden
damsels extend from the western Pacific to the Eastern Indian Oceans
southward
to the Great Barrier
Reef. This
is a coral reef inhabitant occupying
depths from 30 to 150 feet.

Golden
damsels have a rounded body, spiked dorsal fin and the forked tail
characteristic of its grouping. Its bright yellow color palette is
accented
with electric blue vertical pin striping on its upper and lower body
regions.
Coloration has a tendency to fade as the fish matures. The golden
damselfish is
marketed under various aliases including yellow damselfish, lemon
damsel,
lemonpeel damsel and golden damsel.

This
is a hardy and somewhat aggressive species. Its ability to contend with
a
multitude of environmental parameters makes it an excellent choice for
the
inexperienced aquarist. The
fish’s stamina and
its low price tag often lead to it being used as a biological
stabilizer in the
cycling of new aquariums. If
the damsel
flourishes in the newly established aquatic environment, then it is
worth the
risk of adding more expensive species of lesser constitution to the
aquarium.
In a marine reef it will not disrupt the anchored inhabitants or devour
your
ornamental crustaceans. In nature it makes its home amid gorgonian fans
and
black coral trees. These would make the perfect surroundings for a
golden damsel
fish in a reef tank. This species reaches up to 5 inches in length as
an adult.
Take its temperament into account when choosing its tank mates.
Although it is very
even tempered compared to many damselfish species, it should not be
housed with
smaller more timid species. Introducing this fish to a pre-established
population or in unison with the other species you wish to keep in your
aquarium will reduce aggressive behavior. A minimum tank size of 30
gallons is
recommended.

The
golden damsel is an omnivore. In their natural habitat their diet
consists
primarily of zooplankton. These fish take readily to aquarium life.
They are
not picky eaters and instances of problems getting them to start
feeding in
their new surroundings are rare. They will eat common flake food
formulated for
marine omnivores. But as with any marine species, a varied diet will
help
insure general health and maintain coloring. Vitamin enriched brine
shrimp is a
good supplement. They should also be provided with an abundance of
living rock
to graze on.

Damselfish
are sequential hermaphrodites. They are all born as males. If a group
of males
are introduced to an aquarium together the largest most dominant of the
group
will experience a morphological hormonal surge until it gender
transforms into
that of a female. This is a trait common to all hermaphroditic marine
species.
Nature will always insure that both genders are present in a
population to
insure the prorogation of the species. These damsels are known to breed
in
captivity. The male damsel will instinctively guard freshly fertilized
eggs
until they hatch.